Portugal to Set New Law for Online Gambling Solutions

Portugal’s Ministry of Economics has recently declared that online casino software solutions in the country will be allowed soon, due to the fact that an upcoming online gambling law would soon be finalized. The national parliament is expected to discuss the introduction of the law before July 10.

If Portugal decides to legalize gambling activities, then online casino software solutions such as sports betting, internet poker and online gambling will be allowed in the country. After two attempts to discuss the legalization of such activities, the Minister of the Presidency and of Parliamentary Affairs Lúis Marques Guedes has once again mentioned this subject last month during a conference.

Marques Guedes said that after various discussions, the government is planning to bring the draft forward to the parliament before the summer break begins on July 10. The draft still needs to be discussed in the parliament, but operators who are interested in online casino software solutions will be a step closer to starting online gambling businesses in Portugal.

Earlier speculations led to the idea that Portugal would choose to establish a state-controlled monopoly for online gaming activities, due to a former draft which circulated in 2013. Even so, the government’s decision may have been influenced by the current economic situation in the country. Thus, the fact that more online gambling operators would be allowed to offer gaming services will guarantee higher tax revenue for Portugal.

By doing so, Portugal would probably develop a regulatory framework similar to the ones in Spain, France and Italy, where operators who purchase online casino software solutions for online gambling sites would have to obtain licenses from the state’s gambling regulatory authority.

Portugal lawmakers declared in 2013 that the upcoming licensing regime for the gaming industry would be part of a plan that would help boost the economy by increasing tax revenue for the country.